Manor mayor resigns, encourages borough to make changes
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Ed Malinoski resigned as mayor of Manor Borough this week, citing a lack of support for his agenda.
Malinoski, a Republican, was appointed to the post during a tumultuous council meeting in June 2022. He then ran for the office in 2023, securing a two-year term with nearly 700 votes.
“For two years, my vision was to foster a community of unity, camaraderie, promote community involvement and help strengthen the safety posture of the borough as a whole,” the 13-year Manor resident wrote in his resignation letter. “I did not take my position lightly and I certainly poured every ounce of strength I had into making Manor Borough a better place.”
But for Malinoski, time has run out on that vision.
“I have done all that I can do while serving as the mayor,” he wrote. “The level of support I need to be successful is not at the level it needs to be.”
Malinoski spoke directly to borough residents about his resignation in a social media post Tuesday, which garnered farewell comments from the community. The 2.5 square mile borough has 3,585 residents, according to 2020 U.S. Census records.
“I hope I have left an indelible mark on the hearts of our residents and I pray that my legacy will live on as I pass the torch to my relief,” he wrote in the post. “Thank you Manor Borough for allowing me to serve you.”
In a three-page resignation letter, Malinoski detailed areas the borough could improve upon — requesting more robust safety measures and planning for borough projects.
Malinoski suggested creating an action plan that establishes responsibilities during emergencies. He said he proposed a draft plan to council more than a year ago that did not take off.
“We live in tumultuous times, so we must be proactive in developing a plan that will help guard and protect our borough in the case of an unpredictable disaster,” he wrote.
Malinoski called for better communication between borough officials and residents.
“The residents are our constituents. We as public servants are their voice. Way too often, residents are ignored and discouraged from speaking their minds,” he wrote. “We’ve become complacent with caring about what matters to our residents. They have the need to be heard and should be given the common courtesy of conversation instead of dead silence.”
He also highlighted the borough’s need for greater volunteer support.
Last year, Malinoski revived Community Day, which had been a tradition in the borough for 80 years until it was shut down in 2002. The event brought residents together for food, games, activities, live music and performances by local organizations.
Though the event has drawn hundreds of attendees the past two years, Malinoski said the borough needs more volunteers to keep the event going.
“With such a large initiative, buy-in and hands-on involvement from the leadership team is essential for success,” he wrote. “All hands should be fully on board to bring these events to fruition.”
Borough council President Tony Gockel and Vice President Dawn Lynn did not respond to requests for comment.
Borough Manager Joseph Lapia declined to comment on the resignation but said council will decide how it will accept letters of interest for the position.
“(It’s) not really something I’m involved in,” Lapia said of the selection process. “That’s the borough council’s position.”
Borough Solicitor Chelsea Dice said council will vote whether to accept Malinoski’s resignation at its next meeting Sept. 18. Council will have 30 days to appoint someone to the position.
If council does not appoint someone to serve as mayor until the 2025 election, Dice said, the case will be taken before the vacancy board. The board’s decision would be affirmed by the Court of Common Pleas, she said.
Gockel will serve as acting mayor, and Lynn will serve as acting council president.
Malinoski thanked borough officials for their support during his mayoral tenure.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to you for your unwavering support during those times when I needed intercession when the roadblocks seemed insurmountable,” he wrote.